old country

the original home country of an immigrant or a person's ancestors, especially a European country.

Origin of old country

First recorded in 1775–85

old-coun·try, adjective

English horses could never have done it, and probably no old-country horseman would have taken the chances.

Ranching, Sport and Travel |Thomas Carson
Since 1636 the family had pieced out its existence in the New World, tenaciously clinging to many of its old-country habits.

The Stolen Singer |Martha Idell Fletcher Bellinger
Very few of our old-country neighbors gave much heed to what are called spirit-rappings.

The Story of My Boyhood and Youth |John Muir
Mrs. Lynch had been thinking that Granny Castle couldn't be one of the Castle's of her old-country county.

Red-Robin |Jane Abbott

Mrs. Zack and Almeria in rainbow garments; the Davidsons in sensible homespun; the Wynns in old-country garb, were prominent.

Cedar Creek |Elizabeth Hely Walshe

old country

the country of origin of an immigrant or an immigrant's ancestors